Description
These Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Pastries are a delightful blend of fresh spinach, creamy ricotta, and savory Parmesan cheese wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light meal, these golden-baked pastries offer a delicious combination of flavors and textures with a simple preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped fresh spinach and sauté for 2–3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach with ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder or minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until the filling is smooth and evenly blended.
- Assemble Pastries: Lightly roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets if needed, then cut each sheet into four equal squares or rectangles. Spoon a generous amount of the spinach and cheese filling into the center of each piece. Fold the pastry over the filling to create a triangle or rectangle shape. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal and prevent leakage during baking.
- Add Egg Wash & Bake: Brush the top of each pastry with the beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish. Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and beautifully golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the pastries to cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before serving. They taste great warm or at room temperature and make a perfect snack or appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder if you prefer a milder garlic flavor.
- For a vegan option, replace ricotta and Parmesan with plant-based cheeses and use a non-dairy milk wash instead of egg.
- Ensure puff pastry is thoroughly thawed but still cold for easier handling and better puffing during baking.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard for variation.
- Leftover pastries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Cheese stuffed pastry, Spinach pastry, Ricotta pastry, Puff pastry appetizer, Vegetarian snack
